Nick Timothy, May’s former co-chief of staff who resigned after the election, highlighted the quote on Twitter, along with remarks by an ally saying: “He’s got a gun now. One thing people in the Conservative party will realise is ‘you mess with George Osborne at your peril’.”

An ally says: “he’s got a gun now. One thing people in the Conservative Party will realise is ‘you mess with George Osborne at your peril.’”